fatigue and anemia

jphilpo
jphilpo Member Posts: 177
in Breast Cancer #1
I posted a while back about anemia. I am 1 1/2 years past my last chemo treatment. I have had diep flap reconstruction. My oncologist has me on iron pills for about 2 months to see if that will boost my red blood count. It has been about a month so far, and I really don't see any difference. I work full time and the constant fatigue is so draining. It is very depressing too, since I never feel "quite right". He said if the count doesn't improve, we will do an infusion. Has anyone had any side effects from this? It just makes me nervous, because I always seem to have negative side effects from EVERYTHING!! (ha ha)

Thanks,
Jean

Comments

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #2
    no advice for you just-----
    Want you to know thinking of you...

    I hope someone has some helpful info to post soon

    Denise W
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #3
    disneyfan2008 said:

    no advice for you just-----
    Want you to know thinking of you...

    I hope someone has some helpful info to post soon

    Denise W

    just a few suggestions .....
    Iron issues thru out my chemo treatments, and thereafter as well.

    Raw almonds
    6 oz of red meat -- steaks or roast, even in and out burger daily
    Raisins
    eggs
    avacado's

    Hydrate with plenty of water .. and rest when possible. tired in the evenings, just relax and forget about everything else .. eriously! It takes so very long to get out 'red' cell counts up, no joke and no kidding.

    Strength and Courage,

    Vicki Sam
  • catlover6
    catlover6 Member Posts: 10
    #4
    I had anemia too
    I had some anemia when I finished the 4 A/C treatments - but it got a lot worse once I was 2 treatments in to the Taxol. My RBC count was low and my hemaglobin was only 9.0. They scheduled a transfusion for me and I can say it was great. They gave me a 25 mg pill of benadryl before the transfusion and I didn't have any side effects at all ( and I also tend to get anything and everything possible with the chemo ). It took about a day, but the change was amazing. I was able to walk up stairs without getting out of breath .. I had a little color in my face and my energy improved. For me it was definitely worth it. Eating some foods rich in iron is good too ( just make sure you don't cook the beef too much - the more red there is, the more iron that is still available to you ). good luck !!
    Hugs, Sue
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #5
    catlover6 said:

    I had anemia too
    I had some anemia when I finished the 4 A/C treatments - but it got a lot worse once I was 2 treatments in to the Taxol. My RBC count was low and my hemaglobin was only 9.0. They scheduled a transfusion for me and I can say it was great. They gave me a 25 mg pill of benadryl before the transfusion and I didn't have any side effects at all ( and I also tend to get anything and everything possible with the chemo ). It took about a day, but the change was amazing. I was able to walk up stairs without getting out of breath .. I had a little color in my face and my energy improved. For me it was definitely worth it. Eating some foods rich in iron is good too ( just make sure you don't cook the beef too much - the more red there is, the more iron that is still available to you ). good luck !!
    Hugs, Sue

    beets, liver, cranberry, vitamin C
    I do not have anemia, but tired every day as well. I remember that there is shot to boos red cells it is administrated when counts go below 9. Try diet, have more rest, walk outside.
    DIEP takes up to 12 months to recover, Chemo 12, radiation 12 too.
    hugs
  • jphilpo
    jphilpo Member Posts: 177
    #6
    New Flower said:

    beets, liver, cranberry, vitamin C
    I do not have anemia, but tired every day as well. I remember that there is shot to boos red cells it is administrated when counts go below 9. Try diet, have more rest, walk outside.
    DIEP takes up to 12 months to recover, Chemo 12, radiation 12 too.
    hugs

    anemia
    Thanks for all of your suggestions. I am so emotional today. I have bone pain and the fatigue just makes me want to cry, which I did all the way into work this morning.

    I appreciate you all,

    Jean
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #7
    jphilpo said:

    anemia
    Thanks for all of your suggestions. I am so emotional today. I have bone pain and the fatigue just makes me want to cry, which I did all the way into work this morning.

    I appreciate you all,

    Jean

    Jean I have an inherited
    Jean I have an inherited chronic anemia called thalassemia and I take folic acid daily for it. My red counts went low a few times while I was on chemo.The onc gave me a shot for it and I dont recall the name of the shot. I understand the fatigue. I started juicing this past fall and it has truly made a difference in my fatigue. It got me thru christmas and when I dont juice for a couple days I begin to feel breathless and tired.

    Many people have told me my juice sounds terrible but I can tell you it tastes good and it is a true tonic for me. I mix it up, but always use asparagus, kale and a carrot. I also use beets, spinach, brussell sprouts, celery,and always a fruit to sweeten it. I've used watermelon, apples, pears, beries and whatever you have or like. Hope you begin to feel better. Sending cyber hugs and a few tissues for those tears. I know how you feel.

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